Mass storage device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to mass storage devices and, more particularly, to transferring data between mass storage devices.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to mass storage devices and, moreparticularly, to transferring digital data between mass storage devices.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Hard disk drives (HDDs) or hard drives are one example of a fixedstorage medium. Hard drives, which are typically used with computers,digital video recorders and other information handling systems whichprocess information in a digital format, are typically designed to beoperated in either one of two modes for the useful life of the drive. Inthis context, the terms “digital data” and “digital format” refer todata represented in discrete, discontinuous form, as contrasted withanalog data represented in a continuous form. Digital data usuallyimplies the use of binary digits; however, the term digital data is notlimited to binary digits and may, for example, utilize any radix. In onemode, these drives may be encased within their own chassis and coupledto an external computer or information handling system. In the other,more typical, mode, the bare drive is mounted internally within thechassis of the computer or information system. These hard drives aretypically designed to operate in one of these two modes, as previouslyindicated. As a result, it may be difficult to externally use a drive,designed for internal use, and vice versa.

[0005] Often, during the useful lifetime of the information handlingsystem, the user may desire more storage capacity than the systemcurrently provides. One of the ways a user may then increase thisstorage capacity is by replacing the current internal hard drive, whichmay be often nearly filled to capacity, with a larger internal harddrive. However, the user may also or alternatively have other reasons toreplace the current hard drive, such as, for example, a fear that thecurrent hard drive may cease to operate correctly, or a replacement harddrive may have more desirable design features.

[0006] If a user chooses to replace a system's internal hard drive, theuser may wish to retain the information stored upon the current internalhard drive. Internal hard drives are typically designed to work onlywithin the chassis of an information system. Therefore, it may bedesirable to transfer the digital data when both the current and thereplacement drives are mounted within the system.

[0007] Therefore, a user may often go through an involved process toaccomplish the drive replacement. Typically, a user will proceed throughthe following: turn off the power to the information handling system andunplug the system's power supply; unscrew and remove the cover of thesystem; determine, and, if appropriate, clear space for, which mayinvolve the temporary removal and reinstallation of the system's otherdrives or components, the mounting point for the replacement hard drive;place the replacement drive at the mount point and fixedly mount thereplacement drive; couple the replacement drive to the informationhandling system's power distribution network and information buses; atthe user's discretion, reseal the cover to the information system;reattach the system to its power supply; turn on the system; make surethere are not any significant communication errors regarding thereplacement drive or any current drives; format the replacement drive sothat information may be stored on it; copy the information from thesystem's current hard drive to the installed replacement hard drive;turn the system off and decouple it from its power supply; if the coverwas resealed, remove the cover; decouple the current hard drive from thesystem's power distribution network and information bus; unmount andremove the current hard drive from the system; reinstall any otherdrives that were temporarily decoupled; reseal the cover to theinformation handling system; reattach the system to its power supply;turn on the system; and make sure there are not any significantcommunication errors regarding the replacement drive or any remainingcurrent drives. This is a long and lengthy process, which often involvesthe use of special tools, cables or other supplies. A need, therefore,exists for an improved mass storage device or technique for transferringdata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimedin the concluding portions of the specification. The claimed subjectmatter, however, both as to organization and the method of operation,together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may be bestunderstood by a reference to the following detailed description whenread with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a massstorage device;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a cradleto transfer digital data between mass storage devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following detailed description, numerous details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as to notobscure the claimed subject matter.

[0012] In this context, a mass storage device, such as, for example ahard drive, may include a component comprising a sealed housing,allowing the storage of a large amount of digital data. One possibleexample of a mass storage device comprises a hard drive (also frequentlyreferred to as a “hard disk”) which often comprises a rigid disk or setof disks (also known as platters) of magnetic or magnetically coatedmaterial, which may rotate in the sealed housing and is frequently usedin computers and other information handling systems. Hard drives aretypically designed with one data interface. In order to increase thedata throughput of the hard drive, among other reasons, this datainterface typically transfers data in a parallel fashion and is designedto be operated when the hard drive is mounted substantially internallywithin an information handling system. However, a hard drive is merelyan example of a mass storage device and, therefore, the broad definitionof mass storage device is not limited to the hard drive example. Otherexamples, but not an exhaustive list, of mass storage devices may be,for example, a removable drive, such as, for example, the Iomega Clickdrive, a flash memory card or stick, or an optical drive; however, otherdevices may also be considered mass storage devices.

[0013] In addition, an information handling system comprises a system,which is capable of accepting and at least possibly manipulatinginformation, possibly in a variety of formats and modes, and in partstores digital data on a mass storage device. A few, but not all,examples of an information handling system include computers, digitalvideo recorders which may, as one possibility, accept analog videosignals and store them in a digital format, or digital audio deviceswhich may receive audio information via, for example, removable media orpossibly a network connection, and store the audio information on themass storage device. Of course, one skilled in the art will understandthat other examples of information handling systems are possible.

[0014] During the useful life of an information handling system, theuser may desire more storage capacity than the system currentlyprovides. One of the ways a user may then increase this storage capacityis by replacing the current mass storage device, in this example afixedly mounted hard drive, which is often nearly filled to capacity,with a larger fixedly mounted hard drive. However, the user may havealternate or additional reasons to replace the current hard drive, suchas, for example, a fear that the drive may soon cease to operatecorrectly, or the replacement hard drive may have additional desirablefeatures.

[0015] If a user chooses to replace a system's fixedly mounted harddrive, the user may wish to retain the information stored upon thecurrent fixedly mounted hard drive. Fixedly mounted hard drives aretypically designed to work within the chassis of an information handlingsystem. Therefore, it may be desirable to transfer the data on thecurrent drive when both the current and replacement drives are mountedwithin the system. However, this process can be inefficient at times. Atechnique which includes installing both drives in the system at thesame time may lead to the system being opened and sealed at least twice,and the replacement drive being installed at least twice, once in a“temporary” and once in the desired “permanent” location. The techniquemay also result in power cycling and configuring the system multipletimes as the replacement drive is installed and re-installed.

[0016] The often arduous technique of temporarily installing both massstorage devices in a single information handling system at the same timehas been the dominant technique for transferring digital data between acurrent and replacement mass storage device for the common user duringthe last 15 years. Devices and techniques have been developed whichallow the transfer of digital data between mass storage devices, whichare installed in at least two different information handling systems.Examples of such techniques include, but are not limited to, the use ofa local area network, or the use of software and a direct cableconnection to transfer digital data from the current drive, installed ina first information handling system, to a third drive, installed in asecond information handling system, and then back to the replacementdrive, after it is installed in the first information handling system. Adisadvantage of the techniques which comprise two or more informationhandling systems to transfer digital data between a current andreplacement mass storage device is the cost of the second informationsystem and any cabling or networking which may be utilized to accomplishthe technique.

[0017] However, the process of transferring digital data between acurrent and replacement storage device utilizing a single informationhandling system has typically relied upon either the temporaryconcurrent installation of both the current and replacement drives asdescribed above, or the use of at least a third mounted or removabledrive to temporarily house the digital data between the removal of thecurrent drive and the installation of the replacement drive. Thedisadvantages of the known techniques which comprise a singleinformation handling system is the inefficiency resulting from theconcurrent installation of both the current and replacement devices andthe additional cost of techniques which may utilize a third mass storagedevice.

[0018] An embodiment of a mass storage device is illustrated in FIG. 1.Mass storage device 100, which may comprise, for example, a hard drive,may have two data ports, 110 and 120. Data port 110 may be designed tobe used when the device is operated while fixedly mounted to informationhandling system 199 or operated substantially within a cradle that isfixedly mounted within information handling system 199, which may be asystem such as, for example, a computer.

[0019] Data port 110 may utilize a protocol or interface which transfersdata in a parallel fashion, such as, for example, the Integrated DeviceElectronics/AT Attachment (IDE/ATA) interface or any of the proprietyinterfaces based upon IDE (hereafter “Enhanced IDE” or “EIDE”). ATAttachment Interface for Disk Drives, ANSI Std. X3.221-1999. Or, asanother example, the Small Computer System Interface-2, ANSI Std.X3.131-1999 (hereafter “SCSI”). However, the claimed subject matter is,of course, not limited to any particular standard or specification.

[0020] Data port 120 may be designed to be utilized when device 100 isoperated while not mounted to system 199. Data port 120 may comprise aparallel protocol or interface, such as, for example the IEEE 1284specification (hereafter “the parallel printer port protocol orinterface”). Standard Signaling Method for a Bi-Directional ParallelPeripheral Interface for Personal Computers, IEEE Std. 1284-1994. Or,alternatively, data port 120 may utilize a serial protocol or interface,such as, for example, the IEEE 1394 specification (hereafter“Firewire”). IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus, IEEE Std1394a-2000. Or, as another example, a wireless serial protocol orinterface. For example, a short-range, under approximately a 500-footradius, wireless serial protocol or interface, such as, for example,Bluetooth, may be used. Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Specificationof the Bluetooth System: Core, (ver. 1.1 2001). In addition, via dataport 120 operating power may be provided to mass storage device 100 whenthe device is operated while not mounted to information system 199.However, the claimed subject matter is, of course, not limited to anyparticular standard or specification.

[0021] As a specific example of this embodiment, although of course theclaimed subject matter is not limited to, a user may own a computer witha hard drive complying with this embodiment. While the hard drive isfixedly mounted with the computer, the user may utilize data port 110 toread and write data to and from the hard drive. If the user wished toreplace the original hard drive with a replacement drive, the user wouldnot need to install both drives in the computer at the same time. Theuser might remove the original drive and install the replacement drivewithout transferring any information during the installation process.Then, the user could couple the unmounted original drive, to thecomputer via data port 120 and transfer information to the installedreplacement drive. However, this is merely one of many possible examplesof an embodiment.

[0022] Another embodiment comprising a cradle is illustrated in FIG. 2.Mass storage device 200, such as, for example, a hard disk drive, mayinclude only data port 210, which is designed to be utilized when massstorage device 200 is fixedly mounted to information handling system199. When device 200 is operated externally from information handlingsystem 199, it may be placed in cradle 250. Cradle 250 may transferdigital data from the mass storage device's data port 210 to thecradle's data port 220. Data port 220 may be used to transfer theaforementioned digital data to information handling system 199.

[0023] Like the aforementioned embodiment, data port 210 may transferdigital data utilize a parallel protocol or interface, such as, forexample, the Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics (EIDE) interface or,as another example, the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). Again,the claimed subject matter is, of course, not limited to any particularstandard or specification.

[0024] Data port 220 may be intended to be utilized when device 200 isoperated in an unmounted fashion to system 199. Data port 220 maycomprise a parallel protocol or interface, such as, for example theparallel printer port protocol or interface. Or, alternatively, dataport 220 may comprise a serial protocol or interface, such as, forexample, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. Compaq, et. al,Universal Serial Bus Specification, (rev. 2.0, 2000), or, as anotherexample, a wireless serial protocol or interface. For example, ashort-range, under approximately a 500-foot radius, wireless serialprotocol or interface, such as, for example, Bluetooth may be used.However, the claimed subject matter is, of course, not limited to anyparticular standard or specification. In addition, cradle 250 mayprovide operating power to mass storage device 200.

[0025] As a specific example of this embodiment, which the claimedsubject matter is not limited to, a user may have a computer with a harddrive complying with this embodiment. While the hard drive is fixedlymounted with the computer, the user may utilize data port 210 to readand write data to and from the hard drive. If the user wished to replacethe original hard drive with a replacement drive, the user would notneed to install both drives in the computer at the same time. The usermight remove the original drive and install the replacement drivewithout transferring any information during the installation process.Then, the user could couple the unmounted original drive with cradle250. Cradle 250 may then be coupled with the computer via data port 220.Information may then be transferred via this data path to the installedreplacement drive. However, this is merely one of many possible examplesof an embodiment.

[0026] In another embodiment, either of the aforementioned techniquesmay be used but, in addition, instructions stored within or processed bythe information handling system may allow the user to select or markwhich pieces of information or digital data are to be transferred fromthe current mass storage device to the replacement mass storage device.This information may be stored in a lookup table or an indexing system.These instructions may facilitate the ability for the digital data to betransferred automatically once the current mass storage device iscoupled to the information handling system via either data port 120 orcradle 250. Or, alternately in an additional embodiment, data port 120or cradle 250 may be adapted so that the user may operate theinformation handling system to read from and write to the current massstorage device regardless of whether the current mass storage device isoperated in either a mounted or an unmounted fashion.

[0027] While certain features of the claimed subject matter have beenillustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes that fall within the truespirit of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is: 1: A method for transferring digital datacomprising: removing a first mass storage device from an informationhandling system; reading at least a portion of digital data from saidfirst mass storage device while said first mass storage device isoperated with said information handling system while said first massstorage device is unmounted; and storing said digital data read fromsaid first mass storage device to a second mass storage device mountedwith said information handling system. 2: The method of claim 1, whichfurther comprises, prior to removing a first mass storage device from aninformation handling system, storing said digital data to said firstmass storage device while said first mass storage device issubstantially mounted with said information handling system. 3: Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first mass storage device includes: afirst data port, said first data port having a configuration so as to beutilized when said first mass storage device is operated while mountedwith said information system, and a second data port, said second dataport having a configuration so as to be utilized when said first massstorage device is operated with said information system while said firstmass storage device is unmounted. 4: The method of claim 1, whereinreading at least a portion of digital data from said first mass storagedevice includes determining the at least a portion of said digital datato read from said first mass storage device. 5: The method of claim 4,wherein determining the at least a portion of said digital data to readfrom said first mass storage device comprises marking the at least aportion of said digital data before said first mass storage device isremoved from said information system. 6: The method of claim 5, whereinsaid marking of the at least a portion of said digital data comprisesutilizing an indexing system. 7: The method of claim 1, wherein readingat least a portion of digital data from said first mass storage devicecomprises placing said first mass storage device in a cradle afterremoving said first mass storage device from said information handlingsystem. 8: The method of claim 7, wherein said reading at least aportion of said digital data from said first mass storage devicecomprises transmitting the at least a portion said digital data fromsaid first mass storage device to said information handling system in aserial fashion. 9: The method of claim 8, wherein said method furthercomprises storing digital data in said first mass storage device in aparallel fashion, before removing said first mass storage device fromsaid information handling system. 10: The method of claim 1, whereinsaid method further comprises mounting said second mass storage devicewith said information platform after said first mass storage device hasbeen removed. 11: An apparatus comprising: a mass storage device havinga configuration so as to be used in conjunction with a system whichincludes the capability to at least in part store digital data; saidmass storage device including: a first data port, and a second dataport. 12: The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mass storage device isfurther arranged to principally utilize, during operation, said firstdata port when said mass storage device is operated while mounted withsaid system and arranged to principally utilize, during operation, saidsecond data port when said mass storage device is operated with saidsystem while said mass storage device is unmounted. 13: The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein said second data port of said mass storage device isarranged to be coupled, during operation, to another mass storagedevice, which is substantially mounted with said system. 14: Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein said second data port further has thecapability to both transmit and receive digital data from said system.15: The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mass storage, when operatedwith said system while said mass storage device is unmounted, transmitsdigital data from said mass storage device utilizing said second dataport. 16: The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first data port isconfigured to, during operation, communicate with said system via asubstantially parallel protocol. 17: The apparatus of claim 16, whereinsaid substantially parallel protocol comprises one of the protocolsselected from a group consisting essentially of the Enhanced IntegratedDevice Electronics (EIDE) protocol, and the Small Computer SystemInterface (SCSI). 18: The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said seconddata port is configured to, during operation, communicate with saidsystem via a substantially serial protocol. 19: The apparatus of claim18, wherein said substantially serial protocol comprises one of theprotocols selected from a group consisting essentially of the UniversalSerial Bus (USB) protocol, a protocol substantially complaint with theIEEE 1394 specification (a.k.a. Firewire), and a short-range wirelesscommunications protocol. 20: The apparatus of claim 18, wherein saidmass storage device is capable, during operating, of receiving operatingpower via said second data port. 21: The apparatus of claim 16, whereinsaid second data port is configured to, during operation, communicatewith said system via a substantially parallel protocol. 22: Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said mass storage device comprises a harddisk drive. 23: The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second data portcomprises a cradle which is capable, during operation, of re-formattingdigital data from said first data port before transmitting said digitaldata to said system. 24: An apparatus comprising: a cradle having aconfiguration to hold a mass storage device; said cradle being furtherconfigured so that said cradle has the capability to reformat digitaldata received from said mass storage device and transmit saidreformatted digital data to an information handling system. 25: Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein said cradle is further configured so thatsaid cradle has the capability to reformat digital data received fromsaid information handling system and transmit said reformatted digitaldata to said mass storage device. 26: The apparatus of claim 24, whereinsaid cradle is further configured so that said mass storage device maybe fixed mounted to said cradle. 27: The apparatus of claim 24, whereinsaid cradle comprises a data port which is configured to, duringoperation, transmit said reformatted digital data to said informationhandling system via a substantially serial protocol. 28: The apparatusof claim 27, said substantially serial protocol comprises one of theprotocols selected from a group consisting essentially of the UniversalSerial Bus (USB) protocol, a protocol substantially complaint with theIEEE 1394 specification (a.k.a. Firewire), and a short-range wirelesscommunications protocol. 29: The apparatus of claim 27, wherein saidcradle comprises a data port which is adapted to receive, duringoperation, digital data from said mass storage device via asubstantially parallel protocol. 30: The apparatus of claim 29, whereinsaid substantially parallel protocol comprises one of the protocolsselected from a group consisting essentially of the Enhanced IntegratedDevice Electronics (EIDE) protocol, and the Small Computer SystemInterface (SCSI). 31: The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said cradle iscapable of, during operation, providing operating power to said massstorage device. 32: A system comprising: an information handlingplatform, which has the capability to at least in part store digitaldata; and a mass storage device including a first data port, and asecond data port; wherein said mass storage device is coupled to saidinformation handling platform. 33: The system of claim 32, wherein saidmass storage device is further arranged to principally utilize, duringoperation, said first data port when said mass storage device isoperated while mounted with said platform and arranged to principallyutilize said second data port when said mass storage device is operatedwith said information handling platform while said mass storage deviceis unmounted. 34: The system of claim 32, wherein said mass storagedevice, when operated said information handling platform while said massstorage device is unmounted, transmits digital data from said massstorage device utilizing said second data port. 35: The system of claim32, wherein the said first data port of said mass storage device isconfigured to, during operation, communicate with said informationhandling platform via a substantially parallel protocol. 36: The systemof claim 35, wherein said substantially parallel protocol comprises oneof the protocols selected from a group consisting essentially of theEnhanced Integrated Device Electronics (EIDE) protocol, and the SmallComputer System Interface (SCSI). 37: The system of claim 35, whereinsaid second data port of said mass storage device is configured to,during operation, communicate with said information handling platformvia a substantially serial protocol. 38: The system of claim 37, whereinsaid substantially serial protocol comprises one of the protocolsselected from a group consisting essentially of the Universal Serial Bus(USB) protocol, a protocol substantially complaint with the IEEE 1394specification (a.k.a. Firewire), and a short-range wirelesscommunications protocol. 39: The system of claim 32, wherein said massstorage device comprises a hard disk drive and said information handlingplatform comprises a computer. 40: A system comprising: an informationhandling platform, which includes the capability to at least in partstore digital data; a mass storage device; and a cradle having aconfiguration so as to hold said mass storage device; said cradlefurther having a configuration so that said cradle has the capability toreformat digital data received from said mass storage device andtransmit said reformatted digital data to said information handlingplatform. 41: The system of claim 40, wherein said cradle comprises adata port which is configured to, during operation, transmit saidreformatted digital data to said information handling system via asubstantially serial protocol. 42: The system of claim 41, saidsubstantially serial protocol comprises one of the protocols selectedfrom a group consisting essentially of the Universal Serial Bus (USB)protocol, a protocol substantially complaint with the IEEE 1394specification (a.k.a. Firewire), and a short-range wirelesscommunications protocol. 43: The system of claim 41, wherein said cradlecomprises a data port which is adapted to receive, during operation,digital data from said mass storage device via a substantially parallelprotocol. 44: The system of claim 43, wherein said substantiallyparallel protocol one of the protocols selected from a group consistingessentially of the Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics (EIDE)protocol, and the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). 45: The systemof claim 40, wherein said mass storage device comprises a hard drive andsaid information handling platform comprises a computer.